Is Low Indoor Humidity In Your Home A Bad Thing?

Many people think more about their home’s indoor temperature than about its humidity level. However, the level of humidity inside a home not only affects your comfort, but it can also affect your health, furniture, and walls. So, why is low indoor humidity bad?

A low level of indoor humidity is bad because it can dry out your airways, which is dangerous if you have asthma or COPD. You may experience dry skin, itchy eyes, sinus pressure, and headaches if the humidity drops below 30%. Overly dry air can also damage the walls, wallpaper, paint, and furniture in your home.

You’ll also notice more static electricity if the air is dry. Follow along as we explore why low indoor humidity is bad and highlight some solutions.

Is it Bad To Have Low Indoor Humidity?

Low indoor humidity isn’t neccessarily a bad thing, but it can cause several problems at home, such as:

1. Respiratory Problems

Many people know that high humidity can trigger asthma, but low humidity can be just as bad. That’s because dry air can irritate your airways, which can make breathing difficult. As your throat becomes drier, you’re more likely to cough, which is dangerous if you have asthma. Your respiratory tract is extremely sensitive to the air around you, even if you don’t have breathing issues.

Naturally, you’d more sensitive to dry air or excessive humidity if you have COPD, emphysema, or asthma. Irritants and pollutants in the air can trigger negative responses more easily if your mucus membranes are dry. For some people, this won’t happen until the humidity drops to 30% or below. However, people with asthma and other health problems may want to keep the humidity at 40%. 

2. Dry Skin And Eyes

You’re not alone if you struggle with dry, itchy skin, especially during the fall and winter. This can happen because of the cold, dry air outside your home. However, running your furnace can dry out your skin and eyes just as much as the windiest air. Air can’t hold moisture as easily when it’s heated, which can explain why your house feels dry when the furnace runs.

This doesn’t mean that you should turn your furnace off on a cold day. Instead, maximize your furnace’s efficiency, so it doesn’t have to run for as long. For example, replacing the filter and cleaning the air ducts can reduce resistance and ensure your furnace doesn’t run as often. It’s also worth running a humidifier while your furnace is on.

3. Sinus Discomfort

Many people accept that they’ll experience sinus problems throughout the fall and winter. That may be hard to avoid when you’re outside, but indoor sinus discomfort has a lot to do with relative humidity. Overly dry air can increase sinus pressure, dry out the inside of your nose, and trigger headaches You may think that you caught a bug, but it’s really just discomfort due to your home’s humidity.

This may sound unlikely, but you can tell the difference when you increase the humidity levels indoors. Your nose won’t be as dry, and the sinus pressure should subside. Of course, this won’t necessarily help too much if you are sick with a virus. Otherwise, it’s worth boiling a pot of water to raise the humidity or running a humidifier to see if it helps.

4. Excessive Static Electricity

Static electricity isn’t necessarily dangerous, but it is annoying and inconvenient. That’s especially true if you live in a house with synthetic fiber carpets, which can increase static electricity. However, low indoor humidity is one of the biggest causes of this annoying occurance. Moist air can disperse electrical charges, so it won’t settle on your clothing, bedding, and other surfaces in your home.

When the air is dry, these electrons will cling to the surfaces in your home, especially if they contain synthetic fibers. This will likely happen when the indoor humidity level drops to 30% or below. Many people notice more static electricity during the winter, as furnaces naturally reduce moisture in the air. Run a humidifier to maintain a humidity level between 30% and 60%. However, be careful not to exceed 60%, as that can cause respiratory irritation and mold.

5. Overuse Of Your Furnace More

As we’ve mentioned, running the furnace can make the air in your home feel drier. However, many people run the furnace because their air feels dry and colder than humid air, and it can trick you. If you run the furnace when your air is already dry, you can quickly make your home feel uncomfortable.

You will notice a big difference if you run a humidifier throughout the fall and winter. Your house will feel colder at the same temperature when the air is dry versus when it’s humid. Increasing the humidity in your home can help you reduce your furnace usage to prevent waste and save money. This can make a big difference, especially considering how expensive utilities are.

6. Furniture Damage

Many people know that high humidity can damage furniture, causing it to swell and bow. However, low humidity is just as bad for furniture, especially if it’s made of wood. When the air is too dry, wood furniture will lose its internal moisture, and parts of it may shrink. This is especially bad for tables and chairs, as the structural integrity may suffer due to shrinkage.

Gaps may also appear around the joints, which can make your tables and chairs wobbly. This can also affect the screws, which may no longer fit perfectly in your furniture. Once the wood loses moisture, the finish or veneer may suffer and peel. This can leave your wooden furniture more vulnerable to scratches and scuffing. You won’t experience these problems if you maintain indoor between 30% and 60%, but exceeding 60% can cause problems.

7. Wall Damage

Excessive indoor humidity can warp drywall and make wallpaper bubble. However, low humidity is just as bad for paint and wallpaper, as it can make it shrink and crack. These materials become less elastic in a dry environment, which can cause cosmetic damage. Even worse, the drywall can become brittle and ineffective, rendering it useless.

Eventually, the walls can even contract. You may notice the wood trim, baseboards, and crown molding separate from the walls. At that point, you most likely need to hire a professional to replace the damged parts. Keep the indoor humidity at or above 30% to 40% to prevent your walls and wallpaper from becoming too dry.

What Is The Optimal Indoor Humidity?

The best indoor humidity is between 30% and 60%, but it varies between households and seasons. For example, 30% to 40% humidity is best during cold winter days, as exceeding that can increase condensation inside your home. That said, 50% to 60% humidity shouldn’t cause problems unless you’re sensitive to moist air. However, you should never increase the humidity past 60%, as that can trigger mold growth.

You’re also more likely to attract dust mites if your home is overly humid. Patching leaks and improving your home’s ventilation can help maintain a healthy humidity level. Your house is more likely to have low humidity levels during the winter if you have large gaps beneath your doors. These can also let pests into your home, so seal them with weatherstripping. Use a dehumidifier if your furnace regularly makes your home feel too dry.

Does AC Lower Humidity?

Much like a furnace, your air conditioner can lower your home’s indoor humidity. An air conditioner has refrigerant, which absorbs heat, and moisture condenses on the evaporator coil. That’s why your home may feel dry when you crank the AC on a hot day.

This isn’t always as noticeable as your furnace drying the air, but it depends on where you live. For example, people in Florida are used to humid air, but it may not be as noticeable indoors during the summer. It’s worth getting a portable humidifier to use in rooms that feel especially dry.

Summing It Up

Low indoor humidity can trigger respiratory problems, sinus pressure, and dry skin. Dry air can irritate your airways, making breathing difficult even if you don’t have asthma or COPD. Raise your indoor humidity to prevent these problems and protect your furniture, paint, and wallpaper.

Related Guides:

• How To Decrease Humidity In The Home Without A Dehumidifier
• 14 Humidity-Craving Plants That Will Thrive In Your Bathroom